Typically, the Gilmore Festival Gala concert comes at the end of the biennial Irving S. Gilmore International Keyboard Festival, but because of Blechacz's touring schedule -- he's due to perform May 14-16 at one of the world's greatest concert halls in the Musikverein in Vienna, Austria -- it was moved to the middle of the festival. Blechacz will perform with the Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestra at 8 p.m. Saturday, May 3 at Chenery Auditorium. Tickets are $35, $45 and $60.

“I like the way the rhythm of the festival is working this time. We’re working up to an important point in the middle of the festival instead of going up hill to the top like Sisyphus and having the last thing be the concert at the end," Festival Director Dan Gustin said.

In January, The Gilmore announced the Polish pianist was the 2014 Gilmore Artist, a prestigious honor in the piano world and one that comes with a $300,000 award to be spent by the artist to further their career. It's given out every four years and Blechacz is the seventh Gilmore Artist.

Blechacz, who was not available for an interview, will perform a pair of famous piano concertos in Mozart's Piano Concert No. 24 in C Minor and Beethoven's Piano Concerto No. 3 in C Minor.

Gustin said the program is selected by himself and Blechacz and in consultation with KSO conductor Raymond Harvey. Blechacz will perform the Beethoven concerto at Musikverein. We were seeking an accompanying piece for the Gala, Gustin said, and Blechacz gravitated toward Mozart's concerto because of its commonality with the Beethoven selection.

“Rafal decided he’d like to pair Beethoven with a piece by Mozart that was in the same key, which is a little unusual," Gustin said.

Gustin also pointed out it's Beethoven's favorite work from Mozart and one he regularly played in Vienna.

"Both pieces are linked," he said.

The concert will be the crowning moment of the lengthy search to find the next Gilmore Artist. Gustin and his committee spend around three years researching, traveling the world to hear candidates and vetting those nominated before naming their winner. Gustin said Blechacz has treated the process and decision with respect.

“He brings a high seriousness and sincerity to the acceptance of the award and the importance of these performances," Gustin said.

Gustin joined The Gilmore in 2000 and organized his first festival in 2002 when Piotr Anderszewski was named the Gilmore Artist. This will be Gustin's fourth Gilmore Gala.

He said he does not have a routine or ritual going into the concert.

“I will clean out my ears, go to the concert and prepare to be dazzled," Gustin said.

He added, “My expectations are pretty high and I expect they’ll be met."